Is Gatwick snowed under?
Author
Discussion

immigrant

Original Poster:

397 posts

211 months

Friday 18th December 2009
quotequote all
Was wondering if anyone could help.

My girlfriend is flying to Malaga at 6:35 this morning but has been told Gatwick is closed. On their website the 3 flights scheduled since 20:05 are listed as delayed whilst all those scheduled for the 18th as of 6:00 are shown as scheduled.

The contact number routes to an IVR system and states the same, 'scheduled'. I can't find any number that will let me speak to a real person.

Is there any potential of them clearing the runway in the next 5 hours?


Mobile Chicane

21,561 posts

228 months

Friday 18th December 2009
quotequote all
I live nearby and there's a good two inches of snow out there at the moment. Cab home from City Drinks was pretty much fishtailing all the way.

Marf

22,907 posts

257 months

Friday 18th December 2009
quotequote all
I'm about 10 miles south east of Gatwick and its been coming down and settling for the past 3-4 hours. Not sure how deep it is on the ground but theres a good 3 inches on my garden table.

I guess if the flights tomorrow from 6am onwards are all coming up scheduled, they expect to be flying.

dilbert

7,741 posts

247 months

Friday 18th December 2009
quotequote all
I should think so.
They're pretty hot there though. It'll be up and running within an hour or two of the snow stopping.
I think it's just whilst it's snowing that they would otherwise be fighting a losing battle.

immigrant

Original Poster:

397 posts

211 months

Friday 18th December 2009
quotequote all
Thanks all.

Finally managed to get through to somebody who advised going in and checking in as normal. There will be delays due to parking and positioning issues but all flights should take off unless it goes full blizzard. If so, there is also potential of airlines busing passengers to working airports.

Stedman

7,330 posts

208 months

Friday 18th December 2009
quotequote all
It has snowed quite a bit in the last hour or so though. (In Crawley, so basically Gatwick).

Mobile Chicane - Are you based in Horley? Il keep an eye out for you.

Mrs Cuchillo

805 posts

266 months

Friday 18th December 2009
quotequote all
Doesn't look as if there has been any more since I went to bed last night - I'm about 10 miles south of Gatwick.

parakitaMol.

11,876 posts

267 months

Friday 18th December 2009
quotequote all
I'm about 15 miles east of Gatwick and I can't even see my car - let alone drive it anywhere. Like to work biggrin

So even if they are flying, you may well have traffic problems accessing the airport.


Puggit

49,141 posts

264 months

Friday 18th December 2009
quotequote all
Can hear planes on approach to Heathrow here in Reading, so that must be open...

cyb

184 posts

202 months

Friday 18th December 2009
quotequote all
All flights suspended at Gatwick atm according to the beeb.

anonymous-user

70 months

Friday 18th December 2009
quotequote all
Gatwick has just reopened.

HOGEPH

5,249 posts

202 months

Friday 18th December 2009
quotequote all
Looks ok now.

EGKK 180750Z 02012KT 7000 SCT014 SCT018 M00/M01 Q1011


But forecast not so hot.

EGKK 180455Z 1806/1912 02014KT 9999 SCT014 BKN030 TEMPO 1806/1907 1500 SHSN BKN006 PROB40 TEMPO 1806/1813 02018G32KT 0300 +SHSN VV/// BECMG 1819/1822 VRB05KT BECMG 1909/1912 CAVOK

miniman

28,291 posts

278 months

Friday 18th December 2009
quotequote all
HOGEPH said:
Looks ok now.

EGKK 180750Z 02012KT 7000 SCT014 SCT018 M00/M01 Q1011


But forecast not so hot.

EGKK 180455Z 1806/1912 02014KT 9999 SCT014 BKN030 TEMPO 1806/1907 1500 SHSN BKN006 PROB40 TEMPO 1806/1813 02018G32KT 0300 +SHSN VV/// BECMG 1819/1822 VRB05KT BECMG 1909/1912 CAVOK
Yeah, I think there's something wrong with your keyboard, it seems to be spitting out random characters instead of what you're typing. nuts

parakitaMol.

11,876 posts

267 months

Friday 18th December 2009
quotequote all
I do not understand that forecast!

What's it like tomorrow? - Mr PKM will be heading back from Tapei - even if he gets to Heathrow I think he'll have to walk the last mile up our hill - which will make him VERY grumpy!

HOGEPH

5,249 posts

202 months

Friday 18th December 2009
quotequote all
This will explain it a bit.


http://www.ukweather.freeserve.co.uk/metarpg.htm


Edited for better link.

Edited by HOGEPH on Friday 18th December 08:22

Matt Evans

1,530 posts

190 months

Friday 18th December 2009
quotequote all
I heard on the radio this morning that both Gatwick and Luton airports are closed.

parakitaMol.

11,876 posts

267 months

Friday 18th December 2009
quotequote all
HOGEPH said:
This will explain it a bit.


http://www.ukweather.freeserve.co.uk/metarpg.htm


Edited for better link.
Ahhh yes. Perfectly clear.

john_p

7,073 posts

266 months

Friday 18th December 2009
quotequote all
miniman said:
HOGEPH said:
Looks ok now.

EGKK 180750Z 02012KT 7000 SCT014 SCT018 M00/M01 Q1011


But forecast not so hot.

EGKK 180455Z 1806/1912 02014KT 9999 SCT014 BKN030 TEMPO 1806/1907 1500 SHSN BKN006 PROB40 TEMPO 1806/1813 02018G32KT 0300 +SHSN VV/// BECMG 1819/1822 VRB05KT BECMG 1909/1912 CAVOK
Yeah, I think there's something wrong with your keyboard, it seems to be spitting out random characters instead of what you're typing. nuts
Main point, a 40% chance of there being heavy snow and massively reduced visibility between 8am and 1pm today. If that occurs they will find it hard to keep the runway open and all flights may end up getting cancelled or delayed. However chances are this won't happen - contact your airline if you are not sure.

HOGEPH

5,249 posts

202 months

Friday 18th December 2009
quotequote all
It's going to snow, then it's going to snow some more, then it's going to stop snowing.

anonymous-user

70 months

Friday 18th December 2009
quotequote all
Matt Evans said:
I heard on the radio this morning that both Gatwick and Luton airports are closed.
Gatwick opened at 07:30. It even says so a few posts earlier. hehe

Everyone is taking off and landing fine except easyjet who seem to have cancelled loads of their flights.

Edited by el stovey on Friday 18th December 08:47